Speed limits exist for a very important reason. Requiring drivers to drive slower reduces the amount of time needed to stop or react to changes in traffic. Regrettably, most motorists drive with no regard for posted speed limits.
Speeding leads to more damaging car wrecks, grave injuries, and fatalities. Consult with a Birmingham speeding accident attorney from the Morris Bart law firm if you or a loved one were involved in a collision caused by excessive speed. You may be entitled to compensation for your losses.
Speeding Leads to Higher Fatality Rates
Speed limits are so important to safety that they predate modern cars. The Stage Carriage Act was enacted in 1832 to deter aggressive driving in the United Kingdom. It’s well known that speeding leads to accidents, injuries, and death.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding caused 9,478 traffic fatalities in 2019. A car’s safety features are less effective at higher speeds. Seat belts, airbags, and crash prevention technology were all designed and tested for vehicles traveling at reasonable speeds.
Drivers who speed cannot take evasive maneuvers to avoid road hazards. Loose objects or unsecured pets can become projectiles in an accident. Other effects of speeding may include:
- Reduced reaction time
- Increased stopping distance
- A greater force of impact
- Safety feature failure
- Ejection from vehicle
For a free legal consultation with a Speeding Accident lawyer serving Birmingham, call (205) 380-4158
Losses You Can Claim in a Car Crash Caused by Speeding
A car accident can leave you feeling battered and broken. If you endured physical harm or your car was totaled, you may experience a sudden loss of independence. Our Birmingham speeding accident attorneys can help you file a claim to recover your losses. You may qualify for compensation for:
- Hospital bills
- Outpatient treatment
- Physical therapy
- Prescription drugs
- Diminished earning capacity
- Disability
- Reduced quality of life
- Property damage
We can review your post-collision expenses to determine the value of your speeding accident case.
You Can Hold Speeding Drivers Responsible
Alabama is a fault state, meaning a driver who causes a traffic accident is liable for injuries, property damage, and other losses. Unfortunately, injured accident victims may not understand their rights or how to hold a reckless driver accountable.
Luckily, you don’t have to navigate this confusing situation on your own. Our experienced team of lawyers can explain Alabama traffic laws that apply to your case, answer your questions, and offer legal guidance. We can communicate with your insurer on your behalf, file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver, and fight for the settlement you deserve.
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Birmingham Speeding Accident FAQ
A Birmingham speeding accident lawyer understands that not every situation is cut and dry. Get answers to these frequently asked questions to help you navigate your claims process.
Is a Speeding Driver Always at Fault in Birmingham?
Is It Worth Getting a Speeding Accident Lawyer in Alabama?
Is a Speeding Driver Always at Fault in Birmingham?
On the surface, it may seem simple enough to assign blame for a car accident when a driver was speeding. Speeding drivers are not only breaking the law by driving above a posted speed limit, but they’re also breaching their duty of care to other motorists. This makes them both criminally and civilly liable.
A speeding driver is almost always at fault in Birmingham. However, because of Alabama’s contributory negligence laws, it doesn’t always mean that you will be able to hold them liable for your damages. If you contributed in any way to the accident and shared even 1% of the blame, despite the speeding driver, you cannot legally pursue compensation from them.
Your injuries could lead to thousands of dollars in medical debt and other expenses. To help hold the speeding driver 100% at fault for your accident and injuries, you need an experienced Birmingham speeding accident attorney on your side protecting your rights.
Is It Worth Getting a Speeding Accident Lawyer in Alabama?
Yes. When weighing the possibilities of receiving a measly settlement offer, no settlement at all, or earning a maximum payout to cover your costly damages, you’d want the maximum payout. The strongest chance you have of earning that is by having an Alabama speeding accident lawyer safeguarding your best interests.
Insurers aren’t on your side. The negligent driver’s insurance company won’t want to pay you the full extent of your damages, but a lawyer can fight to recover what you deserve. Because personal injury lawyers work on contingency, they don’t earn a penny from you unless your case is successful. Their payment only comes from a portion of your settlement.
Having a lawyer on your side also ensures that paperwork is filed on time, communications are handled properly, and your rights are protected. A lawyer can help to clearly establish liability and prove the other driver was 100% responsible. While you take the necessary time to recover, a lawyer will ensure that your voice is heard.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim After a Speeding Accident
Sadly, car crashes caused by speeding are often fatal. Alabama Code § 6-5-410 allows you to file a wrongful death lawsuit on the behalf of your family member who died due to someone’s negligent acts. Your claim could allow your family to recover the cost of your loved one’s funeral and burial expenses.
You may qualify for additional damages if you were dependent on your loved one’s income or benefits. A Morris Bart wrongful death lawyer in Birmingham can help you file your claim to hold the negligent driver responsible.
Statute of Limitations in Alabama
If you wait too long to initiate your case, you will be barred from seeking repayment for your losses. In Alabama, the statute of limitations for traffic accidents is two years. Working with speeding accident lawyers in Birmingham can ensure your case moves forward in a timely fashion.
Contact Morris Bart & Associates, LLC Today
Speeding can cause massive destruction to your vehicle and your health. A Morris Bart & Associates, LLC speeding accident lawyer in Birmingham can help you get back on your feet. We can help you identify the liable party, file your claim, and negotiate a favorable settlement.
Questions?Call (205) 380-4158
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
